Comparison

Explain Medicine vs SAMF

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Explain Medicine

A quick medical reference for professionals and students, offering evidence-based explanations for over 700 diseases. Ideal for rapid information retrieval during rounds or exam preparation.

Highlights
  • Medical reference for professionals
  • Explanations for over 700 diseases
  • Evidence-based information
  • Fast and easy to use
  • Designed for students
  • Quick answers for rounds
Features
Read full description

Explain Medicine is a fast, easy-to-use medical reference designed for busy professionals and students. Get straight-to-the-point, evidence-based explanations on over 700 diseases without the fluff. Whether you need a quick answer on rounds or are cramming for an exam, we've got your back. IMPORTANT: Explain Medicine is a medical reference designed for use by medical professionals and students. It is not intended for use by patients or for self-diagnosis.

About

SAMF

This medical reference app provides up-to-date, reliable, and unbiased information on medicines and clinical management protocols. It serves as a trusted guide for healthcare practitioners, offering evaluated content independent of the pharmaceutical industry.

Highlights
  • Up-to-date medicines information
  • Clinical management protocols
  • Reliable and unbiased content
  • Trusted reference guide
  • Independent from pharmaceutical industry
  • Mobile and web portal access
Features
Read full description

Regarded as the gold standard of medicines information and clinical management protocols in South Africa, the South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF), first published in 1988, is a trusted source of information and provides up-to-date, reliable, unbiased and evaluated information on medicines. Currently on its 15th edition , it has become a standard health practitioner's medicine reference guide, respected for accuracy of content and independence from the pharmaceutical industry. It is now available on this mobile application and supported by a web portal (https://samf-app.com/) which subscribers will have access to. The SAMF application and Book is a joint initiative of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town and the South African Medical Association (SAMA). Liquid thought maintains the application and web portal. To find information on each of the entities : - Medicines Information Centre, Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town: http://www.mic.uct.ac.za - South African Medical Association: https://www.samedical.org - Liquid thought: https://www.liquidthought.co.za All content provided in the Platform is for informational, educational and assistive purposes only, and is not a substitute for the professional judgement of healthcare professionals diagnosing and treating patients. UCT and SAMA do not provide medical advice or medical or diagnostic services through the Platform. Any reliance on the content obtained on or through the Platform is at your own risk. SAMF Citation: - Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences. (2024). South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF). SAMF website. https://samf-app.com Get access to SAMF app content with an in-app purchase. There are 2 subscription options to choose from: - 1 month subscription costs R93.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) - 1 year subscription costs R929.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) Payment will be made at the time of purchase confirmation via your App Store account The subscription will be automatically extended if you do not switch off the automatic renewal at least 24 hours before the premium membership expires

Screenshots

Explain Medicine4 screens
SAMF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Explain Medicine at none against SAMF's 2. Explain Medicine also leads on review sentiment (33% vs 13%). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SAMF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Explain Medicine asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Explain Medicine versus SAMF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExplain MedicineSAMF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews — better12.5% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB72 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperMedical Joyworks LLCTHE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Customer experience

Explain Medicine

All ratings13 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

SAMF

Written reviews16 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral18.8%
Negative68.8%

In-app purchases

None

Explain Medicine

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SAMF

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Explain Medicine free?
Explain Medicine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SAMF free?
SAMF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Explain Medicine or SAMF have ads?
Neither Explain Medicine nor SAMF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Explain Medicine or SAMF?
Explain Medicine ships an update every 3 months, and SAMF every 3 months. Most recently, Explain Medicine was updated on September 23, 2026 and SAMF on September 18, 2026.

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